Falklands English Channel Challenge

Having been inspired by Andy Grist and his team including football legend Graeme Souness who are swimming the English Channel raising funds for DEBRA and awareness of the terrible condition EB I wanted to do my wee part. I have previously worked with Andy in the RAF and been involved in charity events for DEBRA so when I heard the news about this latest challenge I was in awe as it’s a massive undertaking. It got me thinking if there is something I can do that would raise awareness of their event and to raise money for DEBRA.

I’m currently deployed to the Falkland Islands and had the idea to try and swim the equivalent distance of the English Channel (34Km) in the on base swimming pool which equates to 1020 lengths. So on Monday 19 June 23 myself along with 5 other members of Supply and Air Movements Squadron (Eloise, Ewan, Jack, Jase and Sam) will attempt to collectively swim the distance of the English Channel to try and match the challenge of Andy and his team, albeit we’ll be in a nice warm pool and they will be in the freezing sea!!!

Having not done a swimming challenge like this before it is a bit of an unknown for me and will be a tough event but I’m sure as a team we can smash it. Again I’m in awe of what Andy and his team are doing and if we can raise both awareness and money for DEBRA and the great work they do to fight EB then it’ll all be worth while. I know things are difficult financially at the moment for a lot of people so any donations would be gratefully received and really appreciated.